What Is Krav Maga?

Krav Maga integrates instinct based self-defense tactics, with a strong curriculum that trains aggressiveness, fighting spirit, situational awareness, and verbal de-escalation of conflict. There are three main parts in the system.

The Self-Defense component is the foundation of Krav Maga. It contains techniques that enable the practitioner to effectively defend himself against both armed and unarmed attackers. The techniques are practiced in unknown situations, such as in the dark, on the ground, outdoors and in a situation which limits the practitioner’s movement.

Hand to Hand Combat comprises an advanced level of Krav Maga. Here the student learns how to defeat an opponent quickly and effectively. This involves different elements of a fight: tactics, techniques, combinations, psychology and mentality of a fighter. (Use of Knives, Sticks & Guns for attacks is also included).

3rd Party Protection/ VIP Protection. Defending the 3rd party against all kinds of attacks and threats; dealing with one or more attackers; moving, evacuating and taking care of the other; functioning under different conditions in different environments and locations.

Easy to Learn and Remember

“Krav Maga” is a modern method in defensive tactics, characterized by logical thinking and practical approach based on daily, common, natural & instinctive human behavior & moves. Krav Maga techniques become second nature, and as such can be utilized under stress and extreme danger.

Krav Maga employs a Systematical Approach, by developing well integrated and common defensive principles which can apply to different variety of attack scenarios. The system is characterized by coherent and logical thinking that builds up easy, natural and practical techniques featuring simple movements of the human body. The Krav Maga system is designed so the individual is trained to solve new problems and an isolated principle can be applied to several potential attacks/scenarios.

Origins

“Krav Maga” has its origins in military combat where it was forged by some of the most severe combat settings of last century amidst Nazi terrorism, the combat of World War II, and the very violent military confrontations of the Middle East.

“Krav-Maga” was created by Imi Lichtenfeld, Israeli Grand-master (1910-1998) who started it in the late 1940′s when serving as Chief Instructor for hand to hand combat and combat fitness training for the Israeli Defense Forces.

From 1948 after Independence, Israel was immediately at war with its neighbors and did not have the luxury of six-month boot camp for its young soldiers, who were literally conscripted and then sent to fight. Because of this situation, the Israeli military needed an effective hand to hand combat system that could be learned very quickly, easy to retain, and very effective. This was the birth of “Krav Maga” in Israel. Beginning with Israeli special forces units such as the Haganah, Palmack, and Palyam,

“Krav Maga” became the official combative training for all military personnel, Israeli police and security forces. Since then, and especially from the mid 80′s, it has been studied, tested, improved and developed extensively, mainly by Imi’s closest assistant, Eyal Yanilov. “Krav Maga” techniques are now applied in areas such as law enforcement, elite military units, VIP protection and civilian self-defense programs for men, women and children.